BluesDawg

and this time it is at a price level the rest of us can afford to consider.
https://www.bike-eu.com/products/3887...-groupset.html
https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...-groupset.html

"The Apex has a remarkable broad gear ratio, as it is available in a compact road gear combination 50/34T crank set with an 11/32T sprocket."

"And there's great news if you already have a SRAM bike and want to get lower gearing perhaps for the Etape or the Fred Whitton sportive you'll be able to use the Apex cassette and the medium arm ‘Transformer' Apex rear mech. When used with a compact crankset you'll be able to get a super low gear for steep mountain climbs."

Tom Bombadil

That's a nice combo. I would think it would be a good option for many who aren't racer wannabes. Hopefully it will sell well.

BluesDawg

I would hope that this will prompt Shimano to finally release a 10 speed cassette with 32 or 34 teeth so Shimano users can get the same gearing option without having to either stay with a 9 speed setup, get a custom 10 speed cassette, or switch to SRAM components.

Barrettscv 

The Apex combines Red and the MTB "XX" group.

I hope the prices are more reasonable.

For now I'll make do with a triple.

NOS88

+1 on that. It would be grand if Shimano did this!

ks1g

Don't get too excited yet - a quick Google search shows various sites saying October 2010 is when it's available. SIGH.

stapfam

I have found that for really steep long slopes I do need that 1 to 1 lowest gear ratio. Even with a compact with a 34 on it- I cannot get close to that on 10 speed Shimano.The IRC 10 speeed 11/34 is not as good as I hoped so that is out for me. That is why I bought a triple but 11/32 would be nice. 34 would be better. This is why I have a 9speed in my stable. Just so that I can fit the MTB cassette on to save me having to train all year to get fot enough for the mountains.

Only downside I can see would be the wide ratios not making it that comfortable for a flatter ride. Not that it matters much as when the hills come in- I only use one gear---The lowest.

Rick@OCRR

Thanks for the information BluesDawg! That looks like a responsible way for me to add to the climbing ability of my SRAM Force equipped GT- Ti.

It has a compact now, and an 11-28, but sometimes that's still not low enough (like sustained 12%!).

Rick / OCRR

BluesDawg

It is supposed to be priced similar to 105.

maddmaxx 

I'll stick with 9. The last road bike that I sold was an 11/34 on a compact double. The one under construction now which does not need the go fast gear (designed for vacation riding with the wife) is an 11/32 on a 32. The prices are excellent....

jppe

That looks just like my setup! I do love my 11-32 on steep hills.

BengeBoy 

Thanks for this info. I was looking at the SRAM XX setup last year but it's very, very pricey. This looks like a really good option.

PlatyPius

Complete group is $799

Here's the brochure I got today about Apex:

https://www.coveredbridgecyclery.com/.../SRAM_APEX.pdf

oilman_15106

IRD - Interloc Racing Design already has this covered. 10 speed Shimano, even 11 speed Campy. All you need is a long cage rear der., maybe a longer chain and the cassette. No need for a compact front crank but it can't hurt. https://www.interlocracing.com/cassettes_steel.html This has got to be cheaper than an entire groupset.

These often pop up on ebay and are reasonable.

oilman_15106

IRD - Interloc Racing Design already has this covered. 10 speed Shimano, even 11 speed Campy. All you need is a long cage rear der., maybe a longer chain and the cassette. No need for a compact front crank but it can't hurt. https://www.interlocracing.com/cassettes_steel.html This has got to be cheaper than an entire groupset.

These often pop up on ebay and are reasonable.

Monoborracho

I have a 92 Paramount OS that is currently being built up. I had an R700 34/50 compact crank installed. For the last month I've been going back and forth on 9 versus 10 speed. I have an Ultegra 6500 front D/R and an XT rear D/R, but can't seem to decide on 9 speed or 10 for the shifters and cassette.

I had a chance to buy a SRAM XX 11-32, for $216 last week, new, on EBay, but passed it up. Duh!

I'm not sure what my knees were thinking when I put the compact crank on the bike.

Pics will follow at a later date.

BluesDawg

Certainly an option, but many people have reported less than satisfactory shifting quality when using this cassette. That is why I said I hope Shimano will go ahead and release a wide range 10 speed cassette.

The SRAM Apex option would be most appealing to someone already running a SRAM drivetrain who might go for the RD and cassette to get lower gearing or someone doing a new build or upgrade.

stapfam

Have to agree about that IRD cassette. It does not change smoothly and the jump from 28 to the 32/34 is large. Once you are in that gear- particularly the 34 version- you are in it. And at $160 it is not cheap.

cyclinfool

My plan - as was suggested to me last year here is to purchase a 26 chain ring to swap out my 30 on the triple, and easy swap and with my long cage DR I will be set. I can easily swap it back when the ride is over but since it is so rare I am at the bottom I might just leave it there for the occasional grunt.

George

Thanks BluesDawg, I was just thinking about last week. I couldn't make west Texas last year, but hope to make it this year and that would help me a bunch. I was just thinking of taking the Roubaix, but I'll be needing a new cassette by then and I was wondering which way to go. I have been reading where people were having a problem with the noise of the Sram set, but now that I've been using it for a while it doesn't seem that noisy to me. I just ordered a KMC chain, because they say that last longer and is quieter, but haven't tried it yet. Anyhow thanks for the tip.

BluesDawg

Come to think of it, the new SRAM cassette should be compatible with Shimano drivetrains as well.

NOS88

yep, it shouldl be. I'm running a SRAM cassette with my 10 Ultegra and it works fine.

Barrettscv 

You will need a MTB RD, the max capacity on the road RD is 28t.

NOS88

I've actually run a 34 - 32 with the standard Ultegra RD. I know it's not susposed to work & I suspect it put some real stress on the drivechain, but it has worked. I'm currently back to the 34 -28 for my low gearing.

Wogster

Shimano is well known for being very conservative with tooth capacities, exceeding that by a few teeth should be okay, but you have to be more accurate with chain length. Personally I wonder though, if a 10 speed rear end is really needed by the majority of riders. I find I spend enough time fiddling with getting 8 speed shifting working right, doesn't seem to go a month without needing adjustment. Something that I never did in the 5 years I had 10 speeds total and friction down tube shifters. Heck I adjusted it when I brought the bike inside and put it on the trainer, haven't put 500km on it and it's off again now....